I've been hearing that it's hard to get ammo, and I've heard this before, but I've never actually seen it.  My friend, who is an equine dentist asked me if I wanted to go with him to Cabella's in Austin.  I figured it would be fun, plus I wanted to stock up on ammo, for obvious reasons. We got to Cabella's and I'll be dam*ed.  They had nothing other than some shotgun shells.  Nothing. Nothing for handguns or rifles except a few boxes of 300 mag.   I've never seen this before in my life.  Not like this.  Oh, realistically, I'm sure I have plenty of ammo, but this is some spooky stuff.  It's not going to get better for a while folks.   

You ain't been out much lately have ya?

LOL No such thing as plenty of ammo.

TRUTH!!!!!!!!!

They've limited it to 3 boxes per person out here. We've learned that they get trucks in 3xs a week and there is typically an hour or more wait in line to get in on those days. If you're not there early AM to line up, you won't get any... period. We stocked up when we could but its unsettling to not be able to just go buy it when you want, like it use to be. My husband is a truck driver and he often checks in other cities on his routes , if he can get it, he does. He got lucky a few weeks ago when he dropped off at a Bass Pro and I told him to get all you can while they were unloading his truck. We went ahead and stocked up on shot gun shells as well ... because who knows when that'll be a thing...  I go into town once a week and grab a case while I'm there. 

if you're stocking up now, your to late 

I shoot handgun compitition and during the shooting season my regular practice burns up about 200 rounds of 45acp per week or more. I have cut way back on practice days trying to keep a good supply on hand. It certainly has gotten worse. It was already bad in California since it is no longer legal to have ammunition shipped directly to your house. I buy for my other guns when I find it, but that ammo has certainly dried up too.

Well I'm sure I have plenty, in reality....I just wanted more.   This is worse than the toilet paper shortage.

Yes, it's lousy trying to get much in person.  Best bet is to order it from online.

During Iowa deer season it was next to impossible to find slugs.  

LOL - Scott where have you been?

I got a .38 special for Christmas. I would like to go shoot it and get more comfortable with a small gun but I hate to run through the ammo I do have. 

I've heard a few people say no matter what party wins ammo is always hard to find the 1st year after an election.

Ammo has been difficult to source for the last two to three years. Hence, One buys whatever is available when it is available.

During Obama's first term, it was easier to pull teeth than find ammo..........

And primers.

Is it a supply problem, or just hoarding? Both?  It won't get easier from here on out.  

Reloads.  Supplies have not been decimated, shipping is a bit slow. 

Our motto never let a casing be used only once.  If you leave your brass at the shooting range reloaders are going to get them. 

We have plenty (as in enough for us), A neighbor calls everytime he gos to town to shop for shells and takes a order form Andy and then he brings them out here. I think the Ammo has gotton in high demand once Obama took office, hes been the best salesman for guns and Ammo then anybody else. Now Biden will take that place, lol.

How long will Covid be used as an excuse for anything bad?

Forever, or so it seems!

Reloading your spent shell casings is simple. Gunpowder and primers are affordable, and rather than use lead projectiles for target practice, I use zinc. Casting bullets is simple, and there are lots of companies that sell moulds. There are lots of YouTube videos on this topic.

none of what you said is true. 

LRP is not available anywhere

Powder none

New or once fired brass, none

can still almost consistently source bullets but not like it should be. 

To answer Bears question, it is a demand problem. 

Every Ammo manf. in the country is pumping out as many rounds as they can, running 24/7 in most cases. 

Weatherby took almost 75% of their staff(sales, admin, etc) and has them running loaders. 

so I'm curious now. 

if you have plenty. How many is plenty? 

Ah man say it ain't so. Really?  No truth.  Dang I reckon I just imagined my last order. Guess my buds and I can forget reloads this weekend with those imaginary shipments. Thanks for setting me straight.  You are the best!

Perhaps in your corner of the world, merchandise is available.....................On the shelves.

However, in Texas (cause I live in this State and travel it quiet extensively currently for work), merchandise on the shelf is practically nonexistent.To include reloading components.

I am fairly handy with research on the internet to include shopping and again, my searches have come up empty handed for much of what I shop for to include reloading components.

I would say would 'Good for you and yours' since ya'll seem to be able to procure whatever ya'll have need of.

It is my opinion (due to research) that this current ammunition shortage can be attributed to both supply (lack thereof) (The Ammo Factory in Little Rock Arkansas is currently closed) and an unprecendented demand driven by Current Events to include Covid 19 and America's current political landscape.

My brother is a gunsmith and I come from a family of long time reloaders so maybe I have an edge up.  Never considered others couldn't get supplies when I could and can.

Reloading requires a considerable 'input' to include a decent press, scale, heat source for bullet molding etc.

Also, reloading requires One to be able to follow directions and make decisions (judgements) as the qualitity of the components and process control.

Reloading can be a serious pain in the butt and furthermore quite dangerous in the hands of a novice or someone who is not capable of the aforementioned techniques.

Also, Reload requires a dedicated space due to the equipment involved.

This all needs to be taken under consideration when contemplating reloading............

Is the little rock plant closed short term or long?

The conversation I had last night was that the process to create bullets from lead was very toxic to the enviroment.  Hence the shut down of plants on our soil.... hence guess who gets to make americans ammo...... Hence who needs to take away our guns?

This has been going on behind the scenes for years.  And in the words of Alan Harper..... We are sooooo screwed.

From what I have garned, The Little Rock Facility is forecast to be back in operation around Febuary 2021.

And you are correct in regards to bullet molding, The EPA has stuck fingers in the pie!

In the past (less then 10 years) One could obtain lead from tire shops (wheel weights) for bullet fabrication, but alas that source has dried up. Wheel weights are now aluminum or recycled. 

And you are correct about the behind the scenes for years.......................

Incrementalism equates liberalism. Hence, the analogy about boiling the frog.

Wheel weights are now made of zinc.

Thanks for the correction. I knew the weights were no longer lead.

F.H., they're also very inexpensive, and zinc is adequate for target practice. A sizing die is crucial in finishing the bullet to its proper overall diameter. As you stated earlier, reloading can be dangerous. It would be a good idea to be mentored by a skilled, experienced instructor.

no you can't

Is your family ordering components from here:

https://www.midwayusa.com/primers/br?cid=17587

Please explore this link and respond.

Dang it, that's right and I even did a group text earlier telling others what you said. I think everyone appreciated me passing that info along.  I got a lot of responses back with that laughing thing with tears rolling down their face.

You are a gem and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your wisdom.

No remember we aren't getting any supplies, 1Dsoon said so and even when 1Dsoon is wrong they are right and we should take everything they say with a grain of a salt, I mean as the unquestionable truth.  BHW is so fortunate to have 1Dsoon.  I am sure you will agree with that too.

Bless your heart 

Upon further review of MY interactions with You since I have returned to The Board, I agree with

1DSoon.

Bless Yer Wittle Everwuving Hert.

Well what the heck?!!! Why are you people picking at us here on the Ammo thread, is it because we are female? You men dont know any thing about me or Dirt Dobber. Thats getting pretty low telling her that she is wrong when you dont know a thing about her or telling her (no you didnt) or thats not true, how do you know 1DSoon, do you know her? I have plenty of ammo..

You are right, actually.  I actually took a look at what I have last night.  I thought I have plenty, because I don't actually shoot all that often, but if we are going to have a clamp down that lasts for several years, it's not enough, especially if the unimaginable happens.  

I went to our local place this morning to take a look, I know today is a delivery day and I got there an hour after they opened ... everything was gone already... they maybe had 4 boxes of 28 gauge shotgun shells and that was it... shelves were completely bare. The guy behind the counter said they had a larger than usual delivery this morning too but it was all bought out immediately.  Guess I'll have to get up with the roosters to have a chance at my 3 boxes. I'm glad we got our shotgun ammo bought up when we did... but I'd still like to get my hands on more. The fellas behind the gun counter looked exhausted and seemed a bit cranky. I could only imagine